Plymouth City CouncilSouth West

"What stood out to us most was Claremont’s attention to detail. The design team not only grasped what we needed operationally, but also intuitively understood our brand values and vision. The new office has improved our ability to deliver top class public services." Lisa Woodman, Business Change Advisor

The brief

The council’s main driver for the project was to provide better public services, as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. This meant looking closely at its people, its processes, and the flow of work in the organisation.

As a recognised expert in analysing workplaces and providing solutions that maximise productivity and focus on key organisational goals, Claremont was tasked with designing a workplace that would enable the council’s staff to work more agilely and flexibly to meet the council’s service improvement goals.

As with all public sector works, value for money was a key concern for the council. Claremont’s extensive experience of achieving big things within any budget meant that it was able to deliver a space that exceeded expectations without breaking the bank.

The results

This flexibility not only streamlines work processes, but also provides greater freedom for individuals to define the way they work, improving work satisfaction and ultimately staff retention.

Central admin hubs and breakout areas on each floor encourage interaction among teams, opening up lines of communication and encouraging a unified workforce, ensuring that departments don’t exist in separate silos.

The reception and staff canteen spaces provide a strong on-brand experience for visitors and staff alike, reinforcing the council’s identity.

All in all, the new offices exceed the council’s brief of improving efficiency and productivity, increasing staff engagement and reinforcing its brand, on a challenging budget and timescale.

What stood out to us most was Claremont’s attention to detail. The design team not only grasped what we needed operationally, but also intuitively understood our brand values and vision. The new office has improved our ability to deliver top class public services.

Lisa Woodman
Business Change Advisor, Plymouth City Council

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